OKEECHOBEE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a unit at the Okeechobee County Library, 206 S.W. 16th Street, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, seven days a week, offering help to those whose homes and lives impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Michael Collins, manager of the Okeechobee County FEMA site, said they’ve had a steady stream of people seeking help since the site opened on Oct. 21. He said FEMA represtantatives are also going house to house with information about emergency help for those with storm damage.

He said they have Spanish-speaking FEMA representatives available.

“We want to make sure your home is safe, sanitary and functional,” he explained.

He said for those who need help FEMA does not offer – such as food assistance -- other agencies also have representatives at the library.

The FEMA site at the public library has representatives from the Small Business Administration, social services, the Veterans Administration and faith-based groups.

Collins said the library site will be open as long as there is a need and people continue to come in for help.

He said sometimes after the initial application, people may need to come back with some documents or other information required.

The FEMA site is open to anyone who suffered damages from Hurricane Ian. It is not limited to Okeechobee County residents.

Collins said to qualify for FEMA help, your county of residence must be in an area declared as a disaster. However, they will accept applications even if your county has not yet been declared, and keep it on file should the county later be included. FEMA-eligible counties include:  Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia.

“We will at least take the application,” he said.

“As long as there is a need, we will be here,” Collins added.